Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/404

 388 HANNAH E. G. AREY. [lSiO-50. God, for the powers He has given, be my guide : And if "Well done, thou faithful" at last may be said for me, "What is the crown that this world gives beside ? SLEIGH-RIDING. Merrily ho ! our light sleighs go, Gliding like spirits along the snow ; Bracing and pure is the clear, cold air — Cozy and warm are the robes we wear ; Merrily out the sleigh bells chime ; Our pulses bound, and our hearts keep time ; The skies are fair, and the stars are bi'ight, Ho ! for the joys of the winter's night. Darkly and grim the forests frown, With their snowy boughs, and shadows brown ; The rabbit steals from his sheltered den, But speeds, as we come, to its haunts again, And creeping back, as our sleigh-bells trill, The sly fox barks in tlie darkness still : The shadows are past, and away we go. Over the drifts of the crackling snow. Lonely the lights shine here, and there. From scattered cots on the woodland bare ; A village is here whose windows bright. Twinkle like hope, on the dusky night, And echoes of gay, young voices sound, From groups that gather the hearthstones round : A blessing we breathe, and on we speed. Far in the track of the tireless steed. Merrily ho ! our light sleighs go. Gliding like spirits along the snow ; 15 ut yonder the moon's broad disc has come» Over the forests to warn us home ; For cheerily still as our bells may ring, Old Time ne'er stays on his restless wing; And home we haste with our spirits light, Thouo;li all too short is the winter's night. HOME SONG. Now, thrust my thimble in its case, And store the spools away, And lay the muslin rolls in place ; My task is done to-day; For, like the workmen's evening bell, A sound hath met my ears. The gate-click by the street doth tell Papa has come, my dears. Bear off the toy-box from the floor —. For yonder chair make room; And up, and out — unbar the door, And breathe his welcome home; For 'tis the twilight hour of joy, When Home's best pleasures rally; And I will clasp my darling boy, While papa romps with Allie. There, take the hat, and gloves, and bring The slippers, warm and soft, While bounds the babe, with laugh and spring, In those loved arms aloft. And let each nook some comfort yield — Each heart with love be warm. For him, wiiose firm, strong hands shall shield The household gods from haim. Our love shall light the gathering gloom; For, o'er all earthly hope. We cherish first the joys of home ; A glad, rejoicing group. And through the twilight hour of joy. We turn from toil, to dally With thy young dreams of life, my boy, And gaily fondle Allie.